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CMU’s Kelsey Sigl signs pro contract

A tattoo on the inside of Kelsey Sigl’s right ring finger reads “Carpe diem.”

Sigl, the All-America forward on Colorado Mesa University’s women’s basketball team, is certainly seizing the day, signing a contract to play professional basketball in France.

“Thinking back it’s really kind of funny how it all worked out,” Sigl said Wednesday during a break from refereeing games at CMU’s basketball camp. “I was supposed to leave home to prepare myself to leave again.

“For three years I’ve pretty much been on my own. Now it’s a different country, a different culture and language, but I think it kind of gives me more courage to do this, to take this step for myself. Who knows if I’ll come back?”

After the season ended, Sigl said she wanted to explore playing in Europe.

Vera Jo Bustos, who played at Adams State, then played in Greece for a year, helped Sigl find the Al Alplemont Le Havre basketball team. Now an assistant coach at Western State, Bustos basically served as Sigl’s agent throughout the negotiations.

Le Havre will pay Sigl a salary, plus the use of a car, bicycle and a furnished flat — “down by the beach,” she said. “They’re taking really good care of me.”

She will be the only American on the team by league rules. Coach Laurent Chamu told her he’s looking at her as a perimeter-oriented forward to take advantage of her 3-point shooting.

“He liked my game and as we talked more and more, I liked his style of coaching. Honestly, anywhere I’m going to adjust to a coach’s style to play professional basketball,” Sigl said, laughing.

For the full story on Sigl’s impending pro career, pick up Thursday’s Daily Sentinel or go to gjsentinel.com overnight.